Signs are beginning to emerge of a major military offensive being prepared in the district of Macomia in Cabo Delgado, likely targeting insurgent bases in southern Mocímboa da Praia district, across the Messalo river from Macomia.
Local sources in Macomia town reported seeing more than 30 military vehicles and four helicopters arriving in the town. A local source said the vehicles were thought to be carrying South African troops, something backed up by a security consultant who spoke with Zitamar News on Thursday morning.
A team from Portuguese-owned construction company Conduril was sent with a military escort to repair a bridge over the river Messalo, in order for the vehicles to be able to travel on to the village of Miangalewa, across the district border in Muidumbe.
The commander of the Mozambican army, Cristóvão Chume, said on Tuesday that the army would in the coming days undertake what he called “the most important mission” of the current counter-insurgency offensive: advancing on the insurgent bases Mbau and Siri I and II, in southern Mocímboa da Praia.
This article was produced by Zitamar and Mediafax under the Cabo Ligado project, in collaboration with ACLED. The contents of the article are the sole responsibility of Zitamar News.
